Highland partners condemn hate crime

Joint Press Release on behalf of Northern Constabulary, The Highland Council and NHS Highland
 
Highland partners have condemned those responsible for racist abuse and other hate crime following the publication of a report on Hate Incidents and Hate Crime which will go to the Community Safety, Public Engagement and Equalities Committee on 5 December.
 
The report reveals that there are a relatively small number of reported hate crimes and a high level of detection rates (93.48% 2011-12).
 
However, a large percentage of these hate crimes are racially motivated and 92% of them involve alcohol as a contributory factor, with many of the incidents aimed at take-away workers or taxi-drivers.
 
Chief Superintendent Julian Innes condemned all incidents of hate crime. He said: "It is completely unacceptable to verbally abuse those who live and work in our communities and provide a valuable service to us. Racial abuse simply will not be tolerated and we will continue to take a robust approach to such reported incidents.”
 
Councillor Drew Millar, Chair of the Committee, welcomed the report and said: "This is an important issue for the Committee to consider.  I agree fully with Chief Superintendent Innes that hate incidents weaken society and are bad for the whole community and not only for those who experience them.  It’s everyone’s job to challenge discriminatory behaviour, especially when it goes unreported to the Police.  We are also considering separate reports on domestic abuse and Gypsy/Travellers at the meeting.  After the committee Councillors will be meeting with People First and the Health and Happiness to hear how it feels to live in the Highlands with a learning disability and I expect we will be hearing about the name calling, harassment and bullying they face.  We have heard before about the damaging effect on people of homophobic incidents.  This behaviour is just not acceptable.” 
 
Moira Paton from NHS Highland said ”We know that many hate incidents are never reported, and in particular, have concerns over the rate of unreported disability related hate incidents. For people with learning disabilities, in particular, bullying and harassment is a serious concern. We would urge people to report all hate incidents." 
  
The Highlands and Islands remain one of the safest places to live and work in the UK. Crime is low and detection rates are very high. Although there are few incidents involving Hate Crime, it is widely recognised that they tend to be under-reported and people are encouraged to report such incidents to the police.
 
-Ends-